Two more bodies recovered following Danube River vessel collision

Police officials in Hungary have reported the recovery of the bodies of two more victims of a collision incident involving a river cruise ship and a small motor launch in the Danube River late last week.

All four confirmed fatalities were occupants of the motor launch that collided with a cruise ship in the Danube near the capital Budapest in the late evening (local time) of Saturday, May 18.

Two bodies were found while one survivor was pulled out of the water near the town of Veroce 55 kilometres north of Budapest during the subsequent search and rescue (SAR) operation.

The remaining three occupants of the launch are still missing, police said.

An initial investigation revealed the operator of the launch was intoxicated at the time, causing the vessel to zig-zag along the Danube and into the cruise ship on the night of the incident.

The operator had reportedly attempted to steer away from the approaching cruise ship to no avail.

Meanwhile, the captain of the cruise ship has been detained in Hungary on suspicion on failing to stop and provide assistance after the collision.

Officials believe the cruise ship did not stop and instead continued sailing following the tragedy.